Odin's Eye on the Storm: How Today's Chieftains Navigate Chaos

The Sea of Troubles: What's Sapping the Strength of Modern Jarls?

By Odin's beard! These modern chieftains they face a sea of troubles far stranger than any North Sea storm. Geopolitics economics that twist and turn like a serpent and 'tech' that changes faster than a shield maiden's mood. It seems the old playbooks are fit only for burning at a funeral pyre. McLaren Racing's Zak Brown speaks of urgency momentum and learning from failure. Sounds like a good raid to me! You either win or you learn how to win next time. There is no failure only delayed victory.

Learning to Lose? Sounds like a Good way to WIN!

Brown says he hates to lose. Good! So do I! But as I told the King of the Franks 'Power is always dangerous. It attracts the worst. It corrupts the best.' So losing keeps you humble keeps you hungry. He says 'You lose a lot more than you win.' Exactly! Each defeat is a lesson etched in blood. If you fall off your longship do you stay in the water? No! You climb back on and row harder! Same with crashes as Brown said. You must learn from your mistakes but do not dwell on them. Move on!

Turbulence? More like a Viking Wind!

They say many chieftains are stepping down. Cowards! Or perhaps they just weren't fit to lead. Nissan's Ivan Espinosa speaks of optimism even in the face of a 'tough environment'. He is right; If you get overwhelmed you become paralyzed and in the current environment you need to keep moving. A true leader keeps rowing even when the waves crash over the bow. Keep the wind to your back and your eye on Valhalla!

All Row in the Same Direction or Sink!

Espinosa also talks of 'leadership alignment'. He understands the way of the shield wall. What good is a crew if they're rowing in different directions? He says "Flexibility is non negotiable." The world changes and the longship must turn with it. Stubbornness is for rocks not for chieftains. As I once told my sons "Don’t waste your time looking back. You’re not going that way."

Politics? A Game of Thrones? Sounds Familiar...

UniCredit's Andrea Orcel bemoans political meddling. Ha! As if kings haven't always been puppets of gods and whispers! But that is nothing new. It is just a game of who can manipulate the gods best. National interests he says are now central. Well surprise surprise! Every king wants more land more power more glory. Some things never change not even in this strange new world.

The Age of Thinking Machines? Time to put them to Work!

And now they fear these 'AI' things. Machines that think? I would harness them! Ravin Jesuthasan says CEOs are being held accountable for integrating AI. Good! Use these metal minds to raid harder faster! McLaren's Brown says 'What was good enough yesterday won't be good enough tomorrow.' So true! Keep pushing keep learning or be left behind rotting on the shores of history! As I always say “Life is a constant battle; countless opportunities countless dangers.”